“PROVE IT’S NOT JIMI” SAYS VIVID TO THE HENDRIX ESTATE AND WE’LL PAY YOU $100,000

Experts Say It’s Real.

LOS ANGELES – (May 7, 2008) – A controversial video concerning the sexual escapades of Jimi Hendrix is the real thing, says rock ‘n roll experts who have seen it, according to Vivid Entertainment, which will release the DVD in stores today and simultaneously make it available for download from its website, www.vivid.com.

Vivid co-chairman Steven Hirsch said his company is so confident of the authenticity of the 40-year-old footage in “Jimi Hendrix The Sex Tape” that it recently offered $100,000 to Experience Hendrix, LLC (“Experience Hendrix”), the family company of the legendary guitarist, if it can provide verifiable proof that Hendrix is not the “star” of the tape.

The controversy over the tape escalated after Experience Hendrix publicly denied the tape actually showed Hendrix having sex with two unidentified brunettes. Mr. Hirsch said: “The press release/statement from Experience Hendrix proves nothing. Vivid took considerable time and spent a substantial sum of money to authenticate the footage and we are very comfortable that this is the real thing. We believe that those who say otherwise are relying on their emotions to make unsubstantiated claims. If Experience Hendrix can prove definitively that it’s not Jimi Hendrix on this footage then we will pay them $100,000.”

Vivid notes that some of the so-called experts that have stepped forward to comment on the authenticity of the footage have never even met Hendrix. Meanwhile, a former close associate of the musician, who was with him almost every day for two full years says there is no doubt the controversial tape depicts the late rock ‘n roll icon having sex with the women.

“I’m positive that we are viewing the real Jimi Hendrix,” said Neville Chesters, road manager for Hendrix in the late 60s after viewing “Jimi Hendrix The Sex Tape.” “We were all jealous of Jimi’s sex life at the time and we were accustomed to seeing him frequently go to his room at night with an entourage of women we called his ‘Band of Gypsys,’ the same name of his 1969 recording,” added Chesters, who also worked with other famous rock groups such as The Who and Cream.

“The late Sixties were socially, sexually and politically charged times. The footage in the Vivid movie looks as if it was shot in about 1968. It would have been difficult to get explicit film processed commercially in the U.S. back then, no less of a bi-racial sex act. So this film was probably developed in Germany and kept hidden because of how incendiary its release could have been.”

Cynthia (Plaster Caster) Albritton, one of the experts who authenticated the footage and, who once held Hendrix’ penis in her hands while she made a plaster cast of it, said she is certain of her opinion. “No one can pay me any amount of money to say I saw something I didn’t see,” Albritton told Vivid last week. “Judging from having casted Jimi, in addition to looking at some old photos of him recently, I’m convinced that he is indeed the man seen in this film. Facial aspects such as the muscle around his mouth, the lips, eyebrows and mustache, look like those of Jimi. The angle of the camera somewhat alters his face, which explains why the first few seconds seen in a trailer before the Vivid feature was released has caused some confusion. Also, the hairstyle, body mass, and absence of acne scars make me think that the film was made during the last year of his life.”

Albritton also disputed a claim by Hendrix’ girlfriend Kathy Etchingham that the 8 mm film was not authentic. “Kathy had only seen stills of the film – not the actual tape which is much clearer.” Kathy herself is quoted in the late Curtis Knight’s authoritative 1973 book (“An Intimate Biography of Jimi Hendrix”) as saying about Jimi, ‘He went really crazy about cinefilming,’ she said. ‘He would also get friends of his to film naked women running around his room.’ “I think Kathy still has a hard time talking about Jimi doing all these things and facing the fact that he had other women. It sounds to me that she is still smarting from the pain of memories that he was not always faithful to her.”

In the latest case of HE SAYS SHE SAYS, Hendrix Estate Disputes Vivid Sex Tape is real while Steven Hirsch of Vivid responds: ‘We are very comfortable that this is the real thing.’

In an article published today over at AVN, states that the representatives from the Jimi Hendrix estate dispute the validty of the sex tape.

The estate of the late Jimi Hendrix is disputing the authenticity of the 8mm footage seen in Vivid Entertainment’s new release ‘Jimi Hendrix: The Sex Tape’. A statement to the press from Experience Hendrix reads:




“We, Experience Hendrix, the family company of Jimi Hendrix are aware of the release of the adult videotape which alleges to contain illicit footage of Jimi Hendrix. We strongly dispute the claimed authenticity and affirmatively state that Experience Hendrix is neither involved in, nor have we authorized the distribution of this film. Further, we deplore this unsubstantiated exploitation of Jimi Hendrix. We view the release as nothing more than a callous attempt to trade on the image and reputation of a deceased artist who is unable to defend himself against such an outrageous and baseless assertion. We are highly offended by the disgraceful portrayal.




While we do not wish to call undue attention to this desecration, we reserve all rights and remedies under the law to protect the character and legacy of Jimi Hendrix with which we have been charged and legally possess.”

Vivid responded this morning with a statement from co-chairman Steven Hirsch.

“The press release from Experience Hendrix is not in any way a refutation of the authenticity of ‘Jimi Hendrix the Sex Tape.’ Vivid took considerable time and spent a substantial sum of money to authenticate the footage and we are very comfortable that this is the real thing,” said Hirsch.




Hirsch continued: “Anyone who believes it is not Jimi Hendrix in this video should come forward and prove it, rather than rely on their emotions to make baseless claims. It’s worth noting that the primary nay-sayer about the tape is so-called expert Charlie Cross. How can Charlie say it ‘doesn’t add up?’ I’d like to know what he means by that since he told me personally that he only saw about 30 seconds at the beginning of the footage when Jimi was lying down with his face distorted. Cross also told me that Jimi never went anywhere without his 8mm film camera. So, are we that shocked that Jimi was a sexual person whose exploits were captured on film?”




Hirsch goes on to cite contradictory remarks made by Kathy Etchingham, a former girlfriend of the late guitarist who came forward last week to say that the man seen in the footage is not Hendrix. AVN pointed out Etchingham’s inconsistent remarks in an article that appeared here.




“Since the release of the video on Wednesday we’ve been approached by others who may want to step forward to verify its authenticity and if they do, we will release their opinions in due course,” Hirsch said.

“JIMI HENDRIX THE SEX TAPE” FROM VIVID ENTERTAINMENT REVEALS HARDCORE SIDE OF ICONIC ROCK LEGEND This Sexumentary is expected to Hit Stores on Tuesday, May 6th

LOS ANGELES – (April 29, 2008) – Jimi Hendrix, the iconic rock ‘n roll guitarist, will be seen in a new role – as an adult film star – in “Jimi Hendrix The Sex Tape” to be released online at www.hendrixsextape.com today, Tuesday, April 29th by Vivid Entertainment, the world’s leading adult film studio. It will be available in stores across the country a week later on Tuesday, May 6th.

Vivid obtained the footage from a collector of rock ‘n roll memorabilia. It was shot about 40 years ago in a hotel room as Hendrix had an erotic liaison with two slender brunettes. When the footage starts, Hendrix appears mellow while on the receiving end of bi-racial lovemaking from the two girls. In contrast, his enthusiasm to give back pleasure appears to be boundless.

The Vivid DVD is a sexual documentary that gives insight on the uninhibited rock ‘n roll scene of the Sixties. The company consulted with several experts to authenticate the footage and the movie features commentary by two of the experts that Vivid brought in: Pamela Des Barres, author of “I’m with the Band: Confessions of a Groupie” and other books, who teams up with Cynthia Plaster Caster, famous for creating plaster molds of the penises of rock stars, including that of Hendrix. We learn more about the sexual side of Hendrix’ music through the commentary from both women who knew him personally.

“This new movie shows that Jimi Hendrix could have been as great a porn star as he was a rock star. He could clearly play more than just his guitar,” said Vivid co-chairman Steven Hirsch. It’s easy to see that he turned women on with his music and his passion.”

As consultants, the first job of Des Barres and Plaster Caster was to confirm that it is actually Hendrix portrayed in the 8 mm footage. “No doubt about it,” says Plaster Caster. “That’s Jimi Hendrix’ d*ck and I should know.” She then relates how she was invited to Hendrix’ hotel room on February 25, 1968, where she made a plaster mold of his penis which she compares to Jimi’s on film.

Plaster Caster says Hendrix had an orgasm while in her cast for the mold, which she numbered #0004 and called the “Penis de Milo.” “It was a magical process that only lasted a half hour,” she recalls. In the Vivid DVD she also reveals that on the night she cast Hendrix’ penis she also had sex with musician Noel Redding, bassist for The Jimi Hendrix Experience band.

Des Barres says in her commentary: “Hendrix liked to be filmed having sex. He’s the ultimate adult film movie star. I understand why everyone wanted to sleep with the guy. He played like an all-encompassing rock orgasm. He reeked of sex. You wanted to strip to keep up with him when he played ‘Foxy Lady.'”

Des Barres and Plaster Caster talk extensively about Hendrix and his influence on the Sixties. “It was a time of exploring bodies, music, drugs, of the coming together of like-minded souls who thought they would change the world,” says Des Barres. She and Plaster Caster were both among the “top groupies” invited to all of the major musical events.

“The footage proves,” says Des Barres, “that Hendrix was fabulous in bed and really wanted to please his partner.” Consumers can learn more about the movie by visiting www.hendrixsextape.com.

About Vivid:
The Vivid Entertainment Group is the world’s leading adult film company. Founded in 1984, Vivid pioneered the “Vivid Girl” concept, under which top adult film stars are signed to exclusive agreements that are styled on the old Hollywood contract star system. Vivid has always placed heavy emphasis on high quality erotic film entertainment for the couples market. It has created wide brand-name awareness through its films and through licensing and marketing programs that extend to advertising, book publishing and such products as apparel, virility supplements, condoms, snowboards, calendars and comic books. The company is known for its innovative technological advances such as full function DVDs, a fast growing wireless program that is already active in 20 countries, its Burn-to-DVD technology and its popular website www.vivid.com. Vivid is the first adult company to release a movie on both HD DVD and Blu-ray with “Debbie Does Dallas…Again.” The company is also the first to release a title direct and exclusively to Video on Demand. A reality series about the making of the “Debbie” movie has become a popular Showtime TV series. Vivid is a major supplier of content for pay-per-view networks in North America and internationally. The best selling hardcover and paperback book “How to Have a XXX Sex Life: The Ultimate Vivid Guide” was co-authored by the Vivid Girls and published by HarperCollins.